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About This Tour:

Calgary Stampede & the Canadian Rockies

Board the Empire Builder in Chicago. You will travel to Canada to experience the Calgary Stampede and the Canadian Rockies.

Tour Description

Experience the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth on this 9-day tour to the Calgary Stampede, celebrating its 103rd anniversary in 2015. Highlights of your visit to this must-attend annual event include the GMC Rangeland Derby and Grandstand shows, the Western Oasis, Indian Village, and the Bell Midway Circus among hundreds of other events and activities. While the Calgary Stampede is the cornerstone of this tour, you'll also enjoy visits to some of the most acclaimed towns and attractions within the Canadian Rockies including Banff National Park, a drive along the famous Icefields Parkway with a visit to the Columbia Icefields, and lovely Lake Louise.

Tour Photos

Highlights and Inclusions

Round-trip transportation by rail departing from and returning to Chicago.

Hotel accommodations for six nights.

14 meals.

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump

Admissions to Calgary Stampede

Sulphur Mountain Gondola and the Glacier Snocoach

Baggage handling

Services of a professional tour manager

Itinerary

Day 1- Depart ChicagoCalgary Stampede and the Canadian Rockies tour members will meet the Tour Director in Chicago's Union Station. Early this afternoon we will board Amtrak's Empire Builder for the 1475-mile journey across five states to Shelby, Montana. Relax in your onboard accommodations, visit the glass-walled Sightseer Lounge for spectacular views of the passing scenery, or enjoy a hot meal in the Dining Car. Overnight Train (D)

Day 2- Across the Canadian Border to LethbridgeDuring the day, the Empire Builder rolls across the remonte flatlands of North Dakota and eastern Montana. Late this afternoon the train pulls into Shelby, Montana. The deluxe motorcoach that will transport you across the Canadian border and into the Canadian Rockies will be waiting for us. Overnight Lethbridge. (B, L)

Day 3- BanffAfter breakfast we board our motorcoach and travel northwest to Banff. The awesome Canadian Rockies will soon dominate the horizon. We will visit Head-Smashed-In Buffalo jump. Upon arrival early this afternoon, embark on a sightseeing tour of this breathaking resort town. A highlight of your sightseeing excursion will be the gondola ride to the top of Sulphur Mountain for spectacular views of the surrounding area. Overnight Banff. (CB)

Day 4- Excursion to Columbia Icefield and Lake LouiseToday embark on an excursion along the Icefields Parkway, North America's most scenic highway, for a visit to the Columbia Icefield. A ride out onto the Athabasca Glacier in a specialized Snocoach will be a true highlight of the tour. Another high point will be a visit to beautiful Lake Louise and its famous Chateau. The setting is one of the most picturesque in the Rockies. Overnight Banff. (CB, L)

Day 5- Calgary StampedeThe morning is free to relax or continue to explore all that Banff has to offer. This afternoon, transfer by motorcoach to Calgary for the annual Calgary Stampede. We will check into our hotel before heading to the GMC Rangeland Derby and Transalta Grandstand Show. The Derby is the world's premier chuckwagon racing event complete with 36 drivers, 288 horses and their teams of outriders vying for the over one million dollars in prize money. This is the Stampede's most renowned event! The Grandstand show features the Volte. This stunning program includes a rock opera musical score and gravity defying sights as well as fireworks and performing black stallions. Overnight Calgary (CB)

Day 6 - The Greatest Outdoor Show on EarthThe entire day is at your leisure to enjoy all that this major world event has to offer. Discover displays, attractions and events including the Art and Lifestyle Showcase, nonstop entertainment on the Windor of the West Statge, creative arts and crafts and more! Don't miss the Co-Op Kitchen Theater.Some of the world's top entertainers will perform. Overnight Calgary. (B)

Day 7- Stampede RodeoThis morning is yours to continue the explorations you began yesterday. This afternoon we'll conclude our Stampede visit experiencing the thrill of one of the world's all-time greatest rodeos. Six major events - Bareback, Bull Riding, Barrel Racing, Saddle Bronc, Steer Wrestling and Tie-Down Roping - are the backbone of the Stampede Rodeo. This evening we'll make the journey back to Lethridge by motorcoach. Overnight Lethbridge (B)

Day 8 - Empire Builder to ChicagoAfter breakfast this morning, we'll drive by motorcoach across the border to Shelby, Montana to board Amtrak's iconic Empire Builder for the rail trip east to Chicago. Once your train journey is underway, you will want to visit the Sightseer Lounge for expansive views of the passing scenery. Overnight train. (CB, L, D)

Day 9 - En Route to ChicagoWhen you awake this morning the Empire Builder will be departing Minneapolis, continuing its journey south along the west bank of the Mississippi River. The train is scheduled to arrive in Chicago late this afternoon, where your Calagary Stampede and Canadian Rockies adventure comes to an end. (B, L)

Rail Your Way

Add more flexibility to your rail vacation by choosing when and where to begin and end your vacation. Whether you want to go east to west, west to east, north to south, south to north, start at the beginning, travel the reverse itinerary or begin in the middle, Rail Your Way allows you to tailor make your rail vacation so you can have the experience you want.

Look for the Rail Your Way icon to identify those vacations that offer customized rail connections or joining points. Ask your rail specialist how you can have Rail Your Way!

Train and Hotel Accommodations

Hotels
include the Hampton Inn & Suites (Lethbridge) and Banff International
Hotel, International Hotel Suites in Calgary

Amtrak accommodations are available in Coach class, Roomette, and Bedroom. Coach accommodations include a reclining seat with leg rest. Roomette accommodations include a private cabin featuring two comfortable seats beside a picture window during the day, converting to an upper and lower berth at night. Bedroom accommodations feature a sofa and chair by day, and upper and lower berth by night. Bedroom accommodations also include a sink and self-enclosed toilet and shower. All travelers have access to the Sightseer Lounge.

Prices land only, per person. Prices for Roomette and Bedroom accommodations are available 11 months prior to departure. Prices are correct at the time this web page is published; however, are subject to change.
A valid passport is required for this vacation.
Vacations By Rail can supply connecting rail from your closest Amtrak station.

About Us

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